Rugby

The England running attack (what little there was) was very one-dimensional and they seemed almost to stretch themselves rather than the opposition when doing it, after three phases seeming to be unsure who would/should follow the runner in and clear out; they were uncomfortable and lacking confidence in looser and less structured patterns and very quickly retreating the their safe haven of the kick for territory. Personally I think that blame lies massively with EJ and he is so focused on structures and patterns (words he says all the time) that the players are completely unprepared when situations arise where they don't/can't apply. We've never been told what to do if that player gets the ball in that position!!!

Not sure if you're being facetious, i guess you could read your message as a genuine question but the usual rhetorical imperative behind asking "what other teams would X get into" is that you don't think X is very good?

I’m predicting Wales win by 3

How on earth am I being facetious? Read the thread and my exchange with @Sam_w - I asked who apart from Itoje was world class, he spoke of his frustration at Jones not picking players on form and I followed up by asking which other team those three would get into. Yes they’ve played well in the past but my view is that, on recent form, none of them would get into a 6 nations team other than Italy.

By all means disagree with me, it’s only my opinion, but don’t put words in my mouth or accuse me of being facetious when I object to you doing so.

England fans can get a bit fucking salty after losing.

Come on then boyos!
Let's do something special

I personally think we need to separate some of the players from their international performance. For example Slade (only mentioning him as I watch him week in-week out) if he plays like he does for Exeter, he would stroll in to any of the six nation teams, if he plays like he does for England, he struggles to get into most Championship teams.

Not sure that is the players fault, more the system they are being deployed in.

Exactly this - the three players in question are proven world quality, multiple league and champs cup winners, two of them lions etc. The blame for recent international performances by outside backs lies solely with Eddie and, in terms of the game yesterday, the pack and playmakers. To decry their form rather than the lack of opportunities they're being allowed seems perverse.

Ha! Fair enough, if it was a genuine question re which teams the players would have got in with no inference of crapness then I apologise. I can only imagine Pivac, Townsend and Farrell would love to have the opportunity to disagree and pick them.

RE world class - when most of this team played in the world cup quarters and semis? Do you genuinely not believe Mako, George, Lawes, Underhill, Curry, May, Daly etc to be world class? You must have a very small, elite definition if so.

Everyone knows rugby needs plentiful seasoning!

POM you prick

Might be more than 3 now...

That was unbelievable, he has form though.

The one player on the pitch you'd finger to do something like that.

They'll probably kill us in the fourth quarter, but we've coped remarkably well so far.

Like I said, I don’t really follow the game these days, so I’m sure you know form better than I do. Maybe it’s the step up to internationals or maybe it’s jones? Quite possibly the latter

No worries. Mako and Underhill yes, but they weren’t playing. May, yes, should’ve included him. The others not so much.

Maybe change at 9 for Wales now changes things, but Ireland look strong enough.

That was squeeky bum time

People are complaining that Sexton still gets picked - think they'll be shutting up seeing Burns' mad decision-making skillz.

Decision was right, execution not so much.

The decision to push for every last inch was dumb, as was his crossfield kick to nobody a few minutes from the end which went out on the full. In both cases, the execution was as flawed as the thinking. He may, and hopefully will, turn out to be a great player for us, but this is the first I've seen of him and it wasn't particularly impressive.

He's just a bit average i reckon. Your next best ten is currently unselected because of the horrible rapey/texty business at Ulster a couple years back.

Gareth Davies' decision to kick down the line with 15 seconds to go was just as bad.

And long may that continue - wouldn't want that predatory fuck anywhere near my team.

Definitely. "Here you are; have another go, Ireland!"

I couldn't believe it when I was watching. I thought the clock on screen must have been way out!

The lad insisted that we went mountain biking today so after much shouting at the TV yesterday my wife's dirty looks made me guilty enough to miss the match and catch up later. Upon seeing the infringement my initial response was to glaze over and reminisce about the days when that would be called a robust clear-out. Stupid thing is if he'd made even the slightest attempt to bind as he engaged it would likely have been a penalty, if he'd not swung his elbow out it would have been yellow at worst. Wales were let off the hook big time.

but this is the first I've seen of him and it wasn't particularly impressive.

Likely picked on his form for Ulster, which has been good. Following Sexton's performance with 14 players was always going to be difficult for any low capped fly half, but that last kick will take some getting over.